US9107969B2ActiveUtilityA1

Air freshener

83
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jun 8, 2012Filed: Jun 8, 2012Granted: Aug 18, 2015
Est. expiryJun 8, 2032(~5.9 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Frank M. LesniakKyle BrandenburgJohn R. Hickman
A61L 9/048A01M 29/12A61L 2209/15B29L 2009/00B29K 2995/0037A61L 9/12A44C 15/002A01M 31/008A61L 9/04B29C 45/0003B29C 45/1866A61L 9/00B29C 45/2737A01M 1/2055B29C 45/16B29C 45/28B29C 45/0001B05B 15/00
83
PatentIndex Score
5
Cited by
26
References
45
Claims

Abstract

An air freshener removably engages with a structure, such as the supporting post of a rear view mirror of a motor vehicle. The air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The ends of the air freshener are juxtaposed generally opposite one another in closed configuration, and the arm portions of the air freshener flex in directions substantially parallel to the first axis to separate the ends to open the air freshener. A breakable strap and/or connectors may be provided to join the ends together. Alternatively, one end of the air freshener may be inserted within a cavity formed in the opposite end of the air freshener.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An air freshener, comprising:
 a core defining a proximal end, a distal end, a length between the proximal end and distal end, and a central axis along the length of said core of the air freshener, wherein the central axis is curved along at least a portion thereof; and 
 a fragranced polymer sleeve contacting at least a portion of the core, said fragranced polymer sleeve comprising at least one polymer incorporating one or more fragrance materials, 
 wherein said proximal end and said distal end are close to one another when the air freshener is in a closed configuration, and are spaced apart by flexing or moving away when the air freshener is in an open configuration; 
 wherein the air freshener encircles an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis; 
 wherein the proximal end terminates at a face surface, and the distal end terminates at a second face surface; and 
 wherein the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end are juxtaposed in substantially facing relation to one another. 
 
     
     
       2. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end contact one another when the air freshener is in closed configuration. 
     
     
       3. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end are adapted for removable connection to one another. 
     
     
       4. The air freshener of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end defines a female receiving portion and a male connector extends from the proximal end. 
     
     
       5. The air freshener of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap joining the proximal end and the distal end together. 
     
     
       6. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end and the distal end of the air freshener are separable from one another and movable in directions generally parallel to said axis or in directions along said central axis. 
     
     
       7. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein, when viewed in cross section, the core comprises more than 180° of the exterior periphery of the air freshener. 
     
     
       8. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the fragranced polymer is over-molded over at least a portion of the core. 
     
     
       9. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the core is formed of a first polymer or polymer mixture and the fragranced polymer is formed of a second polymer or second polymer mixture different from the first polymer or polymer mixture. 
     
     
       10. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the core is formed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyoxymethylene (Delrin), polyimide (nylon), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone, copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       11. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the fragranced polymer is formed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, low density polyethylene (LOPE), high density polyethylene (HOPE), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ELVAX® EVA ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acetate, butyrate, propionate, silicone, copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       12. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the core has an upstanding inner wall beginning at or near the proximal end and terminating at or near the distal end. 
     
     
       13. The air freshener of  claim 12 , wherein the core has an interior section defining a plurality of ribbed channels disposed in a spaced apart relation in an array between a first side of the upstanding inner wall and an inside exterior wall. 
     
     
       14. The air freshener of  claim 12 , wherein the core further comprises an I-beam strengthening section spaced apart from the upstanding inner wall and having an upper I-beam wall generally following the contour of said upstanding inner wall, the upstanding inner wall and I-beam strengthening section defining a trough therebetween, where the I-beam strengthening section terminates at one end defining a hole between the strengthening section and the distal end of the air freshener and where the I-beam strengthening section terminates at its other end defining a second hole between the I-beam strengthening section and the proximal end of the air freshener. 
     
     
       15. The air freshener of  claim 14 , wherein the I-beam strengthening section defines an apex and a reinforcement is provided at the apex. 
     
     
       16. The air freshener of  claim 14 , wherein the fragrance polymer is disposed over and around the I-beam strengthening section, and through the first hole and the second hole of the I-beam strengthening section. 
     
     
       17. The air freshener of  claim 12 , wherein the inside exterior wall defines a convexly curved outer surface of the air freshener. 
     
     
       18. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the fragranced polymer is formed of a material that does not bind to the core. 
     
     
       19. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the fragranced polymer is formed of a material that binds to the core. 
     
     
       20. The air freshener of  claim 8 , wherein the fragranced polymer has a first length upon initial molding, and after passage of a predetermined time after initial molding, the fragranced polymer length shrinks to a length less than its first length. 
     
     
       21. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the fragranced polymer forms a convexly curved outer sleeve of the air freshener. 
     
     
       22. The air freshener of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end and distal end return substantially to the closed configuration after being separated to an open configuration. 
     
     
       23. A method of emitting fragrance into a small space, comprising installing the air freshener of  claim 1  onto or around a receiving structure. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the receiving structure is selected from the group consisting of: rear view mirror, rear view mirror support or neck, motor vehicle door handle, curtain rod, closet rod, hanger, shelving, shelving support post, drawer pull, drawer handle, belt loop, shoe, shoe rack, hamper, gym bag, locker, shower door, towel rack, trash can, pipe, wire, table, and cart. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the receiving structure is a clothing item or a part of a clothing item. 
     
     
       26. An air freshener, comprising:
 a core defining a proximal end with a face surface, a distal end with a second face surface, a length between the proximal end and distal end, and a central axis along the length of said core of the air freshener; and 
 a fragranced polymer sleeve contacting at least a portion of the core, said fragranced polymer sleeve comprising at least one polymer incorporating one or more fragrance materials; 
 wherein the air freshener surrounds an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis, and wherein the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end abut one another when the air freshener is in a closed position. 
 
     
     
       27. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the central axis is curved along at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
       28. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the fragranced polymer forms a sleeve that is disposed over at least a portion of the core. 
     
     
       29. The air freshener of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve is over-molded over at least a portion of the core. 
     
     
       30. The air freshener of  claim 29 , wherein the fragranced polymer has a first length upon initial molding, and after passage of a predetermined time after initial molding, the fragranced polymer length shrinks to a length less than its first length. 
     
     
       31. The air freshener of  claim 26 , further comprising a strap joining the proximal end and the distal end together. 
     
     
       32. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end are adapted for removable connection to one another. 
     
     
       33. The air freshener of  claim 32 , wherein a male connector extends from at least one of the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end, and a female connector is defined by the other of the at least one of the face surface of the proximal end and the second face surface of the distal end. 
     
     
       34. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the proximal end and the distal end of the air freshener are separable from one another and movable in directions generally parallel to said axis or in directions generally parallel to said central axis. 
     
     
       35. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the core has an upstanding inner wall beginning at or near the proximal end and terminating at or near the distal end. 
     
     
       36. The air freshener of  claim 35 , wherein the core has an interior section defining a plurality of ribbed channels that are disposed in a spaced apart relation in an array between a first side of the upstanding inner wall and an inside exterior wall. 
     
     
       37. The air freshener of  claim 35 , wherein the core further comprises an I-beam strengthening section spaced apart from the upstanding inner wall and having an upper I-beam wall generally following the contour of said upstanding inner wall, the upstanding inner wall and I-beam strengthening section defining a trough therebetween, where the I-beam strengthening section terminates at one end defining a hole between the I-beam strengthening section and the distal end of the air freshener and where the I-beam strengthening section terminates at its other end defining a second hole between the I-beam strengthening section and the proximal end of the air freshener. 
     
     
       38. The air freshener of  claim 37 , wherein the I-beam strengthening section defines an apex and a reinforcement is provided at the apex. 
     
     
       39. The air freshener of  claim 37 , wherein the fragrance polymer is disposed over and around the I-beam strengthening section, and through the first hole and the second hole of the I-beam strengthening section. 
     
     
       40. The air freshener of  claim 35 , wherein the inside exterior wall defines a convexly curved outer surface of the air freshener. 
     
     
       41. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the fragranced polymer forms a convexly curved outer sleeve of the air freshener. 
     
     
       42. The air freshener of  claim 26 , wherein the core comprises at least one polymer incorporating one or more fragrances. 
     
     
       43. A method of emitting fragrance into a small space, comprising installing the air freshener of  claim 26  onto or around a receiving structure. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 43 , wherein the receiving structure is selected from the group consisting of: rear view mirror, rear view mirror support or neck, motor vehicle door handle, curtain rod, closet rod, hanger, shelving, shelving support post, drawer pull, drawer handle, belt loop, shoe, shoe rack, hamper, gym bag, locker, shower door, towel rack, trash can, pipe, wire, table, and cart. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 43 , wherein the receiving structure is a clothing item or a part of a clothing item.

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